Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council Meets in Stephenville

Press Release

June 12, 2026

The Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council met this week (June 9 and 10) in Stephenville, with discussions focusing on key priorities impacting Indigenous women, families and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

On Day 1, the Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Housing and Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being, met with the Reconciliation Council to discuss housing issues and ideas, as well as current efforts underway in Indigenous and Labrador communities. The discussion related to the Provincial Government’s ongoing work to address housing needs and improve access to safe, stable housing.

Minister Wall highlighted that over $1 million in contracts for housing-related work have been awarded in Nunatsiavut, and new projects and other work are underway in Nain, Makkovik and Hopedale.

On Day 2, the Office of Women and Gender Equality provided an update on the progress of violence prevention efforts in the province, the declaration of gender-based violence as an epidemic, and the establishment of a task force to end gender-based violence. Dr. Elder Odelle Pike of Stephenville and Elder Charlotte Wolfrey of Rigolet, co-chairs of the Reconciliation Council, have been appointed to the task force.

The meeting also included presentations from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development regarding violence prevention and embedding Indigenous education into the provincial curriculum. These presentations highlighted the importance of culturally informed education in fostering understanding, safety and respect among the province’s student population.

Established in 2022, the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council supports efforts related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. The Reconciliation Council was proposed by the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee as a foundational component of their report, ‘Hear Our Voices: MMIWG Policy Recommendations of the First Women of Newfoundland and Labrador.’

The Reconciliation Council continues to play an important role in advancing reconciliation and supporting policy discussions that reflect the voices and experiences of Indigenous women throughout the province.

Quotes
“Bringing the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council together in Stephenville this week was an important opportunity to listen, learn, and work collaboratively toward meaningful change. These discussions are critical as we continue to advance reconciliation through action, particularly in areas such as safe and affordable housing, violence prevention, education initiatives, and supports for Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people.”
Honourable Lela Evans
Minister of Women and Gender Equality
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

“Our government is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous Governments and communities to address housing needs and improve access to safe, stable, and culturally appropriate housing. Through ongoing collaboration, we are focused on supporting community well-being, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring Indigenous voices help shape solutions that meet their unique needs.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing
Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being

“Reconciliation is measured not by the number of meetings we hold, but by the trust we build and the change we create together. As we mark our tenth meeting, we renew our commitment to turning recommendations into action and hope into lasting change.”
Dr. Elder Odelle Pike
Elder Co-Chair, Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council

“I am looking forward to seeing plans and commitments to address housing issues come to fruition. I feel the Minister listened to our concerns. We focused on housing during this meeting. In every area of the province there is a housing shortage – there is a plan to address this, and I have hope we will see a difference.”
Elder Charlotte Wolfrey
Elder Co-Chair, Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council

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Learn more
National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence

Hear Our Voices Report

Office of Women and Gender Equality

Office of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

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